How We Can Support the Independent Investigation of Police Shootings

Posted on Jan 5, 2016

On December 22,
The Miami Herald published an article entitled “State Must Probe Police-Involved
Shootings” written by Attorney Jose Javier Rodriguez who also represents
District 112 in the Florida House of Representatives.

In the article, Attorney Rodriguez sheds light on positive changes happening
regarding how investigations for police shootings are handled. For the
most part, the largest police departments used to investigate themselves
in incidents involving the use of force against a civilian, a troubling
arrangement given the perceived conflict of interest it creates. The trend,
however, has been to have outside investigations of these incidents.

After he describes how these changes have happened and what they mean,
Attorney Rodriguez calls on Florida’s Legislature to support outside
investigation of police shootings. Specifically, the Legislature should
properly fund a request by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for
restored investigative capacity.

To read the full-length article written by Attorney Rodriguez of Kelley/Uustal, click
here.